Scorpio: Yar, tell us about the 10-year history of CHILDERMAS.
Yar: Well... don't know where to start... We played and played until the ten-year jubilee. There's not much to tell, really. Only three albums over ten years isn't a very impressive career. The most significant thing has been the constant lineup changes. We started in 1993. At first we played something that was called doom metal. The first demo was recorded in 1995. It was called "Decomposition Art". It was released on the label of one of our vocalists, Roman "Possessed" Ivanov — Gothic Horde prod. It was very relevant at that time. We could easily fill concert halls, and even the well-known Chai-F once opened for us. Then our live video was included on the Necrozoophilic #2 compilation. And later this video compilation fell into the hands of Russel Smith, boss of the English label Black Tears Distribution, who offered to release our next material on it. Of course we agreed, and our 1997 album "Fatalia" came out there. Lots of unknown people and companies were distributing our album across russia. That's how we were heard throughout the former USSR and abroad. The material on that demo was a kind of atmospheric gothic. We even got positive media coverage. Some reviewers even declared us "the best in the country," on the same level as SORROWFUL GOD. By the way, I really respect them. Around that time there was a growing tendency to play fewer shows. I don't know what caused it, but the guys just refused to go on stage, preferring studio work over festivals. And in 1999, just before recording the new album, the band fell apart. A little later, I put together a new lineup. Basically, I just asked the members of the band "Siver" to help me record the new album. That's how "Argotique" came about — our third and, for now, last album. As you know, it was released on CD-Maximum. However, the CHILDERMAS lineup continued to change. As a result, completely new people play in our band now: me (vocals, guitars), Goratio (bass, backing vocals), Tearell (keyboards), and drummer Hitch. Time will tell how fruitful our collaboration will be. But our story continues...
Scorpio: How did you celebrate the band's anniversary?
Yar: Nothing interesting. We drank a little Jack Daniels, listened to some music... and then left. Nothing special. No presentations, press conferences, or congratulations from the President.
Scorpio: The new album "Argotique" was already written in 2002, but it was only released recently. What caused the delay?
Yar: It was written at the end of 2002. Then it was mixed, completed, mastered, and EQ'd over some time. Despite the fact that our sound engineer is a very busy man, he found time for it. By early 2003, it was finally done. Somewhere around the middle of the year, we got an offer from CD-Maximum to release it. And some more time was spent on formalities. That's the delay.
Scorpio: Well, it was worth the wait. The release is top quality — I'd say with that level of production, you wouldn't be ashamed to present it in the West. By the way, have any reviews come in from there?
Yar: Thanks. At this point I only have feedback from our friends in Finland, Switzerland, and Belgium. But they're not connected to the music industry or show business. They like everything and they're urging us to begin CHILDERMAS's expansion into their markets. Of course, we should be sending our album to press contacts abroad, but that's not always feasible. I hope CD-Maximum will help us with that.
Scorpio: Unfortunately, I've only heard the last of your three albums. Could you tell me what the differences are between them musically?
Yar: Generally, the differences are radical. I like MY DYING BRIDE's approach to writing new material: every time it's something new and unusual. But we just keep developing all the time. They have the ability to return to their roots; we've always been shifting priorities. I can't say we set out to play something that would become our defined style. I've always been drawn to new things and to experimentation. So the albums differ from each other in that way too. There's only one thing that has barely changed: the love for a rough guitar sound combined with a chronic melodicism. "Decomposition Art" is just grim and depressive. "Fatalia" is beautiful and sad. "Argotique" is sarcastic and a little romantic.
Scorpio: And how do you define your style?
Yar: I don't know what to say... I prefer not to define our style because it often leads to a lot of unnecessary questions. Answering them gets tiresome. It's the critics' job to define it. Everyone finds in it what they want. For me, it's just heavy and melodic music in the style of SCOOTER and BILLY IDOL, ha-ha.
Scorpio: I feel like I've heard somewhere before the music that forms the background of the chorus in Don't Promise Me.
Yar: Of course you have. Most likely from "Good night, kids." Ah, what a host they have — Oksana! I always watch that show. It might have been an influence. :)
Scorpio: What inspired you to write the song Cleansed By Fire, which is dedicated to the loss of the submarine "Kursk"?
Yar: We had just started working on that piece, still without lyrics or a title, when the tragedy occurred. I remember in August 2002 we were constantly glued to the TV, smoking like crazy and drinking tons of coffee while following those events. This tragedy hits very close to home for us. Half the people in our town are military sailors. And the submarines are stationed just 30 kilometres from Murmansk. I personally had been studying at a military institute, preparing for service on those submarines. I have something personal connected to it... When the loss of the "Kursk" was officially announced, we decided to dedicate this song to those who were lost there... It's not a requiem. It's just a sign of endless respect for military sailors.
Scorpio: Yes... when listening to this song, many of us relive those moments when we were glued to our TVs in the first half of August, not missing a single newscast.
Yar: Yes... not good memories.
Scorpio: Should Sear Me be treated as a bonus track? It's pretty sample-heavy. Whose idea was it?
Yar: Of course this cover was a bonus. The idea came from our sound engineer Vladislav. We like the original MDB version, but, you know, they made it too sad. We, let's say, gave the composition more vitality. Alex W. Crow sang the middle part absolutely flawlessly. And turning it into dark wave was just a matter of skill.
Scorpio: How did the process of composing and recording the songs for the album go overall?
Yar: I think questions like that should be asked to J. Hetfield or O. Osbourne. They probably do it in some interesting way. For us, it's simple. First, I come up with a riff, then together with the guys we work it out in rehearsals, arrange it, and record it. When it's time for vocals, I write the lyrics. Usually they're written right during the vocal recording stage. I'm honestly very lazy about it. But sometimes inspiration strikes and I surprise everyone with new lyrics long before the recording.
Scorpio: Is it difficult to play live with this kind of music?
Yar: Well, no. Having a lot of samples isn't a reason not to play live. In fact, when playing live we sound more "metallic" and less "disco." Sometimes brutal, sometimes symphonic. That's why it's totally possible to perform this music live.
Scorpio: So when you play live, you don't use samples and play the same songs but with non-electronic arrangements?
Yar: Exactly right. Of course, we could prepare samples for every track and perform at, say, a club night. But that hasn't happened yet.
Scorpio: And do your songs get played at clubs and dance nights?
Yar: They do. And with great enthusiasm, I might add. Especially Sear Me and Don't Promise Me.
Scorpio: No doubt about Don't Promise Me. After I listened to the whole disc three times, that was the one song I listened to ten more times.
Yar: Good to hear. It's dedicated to my ex-girlfriend. Honestly, I don't know why there's so much joy in it, given that the theme isn't exactly happy — but everyone finds it very uplifting. Maybe it's because of Alex W. Crow's vocals in the chorus.
Scorpio: And do you personally go to those kinds of events?
Yar: Of course. The club and pop culture scene is actually very well developed in our city. There are few live rock shows here, so we usually go to clubs. So a typical metalhead in Murmansk is well acquainted with techno, house, and other electronic music.
Scorpio: By the way, do you have any ideas about making a music video?
Yar: Plenty of ideas, but no money.
Scorpio: I bet most of the ideas are for Cleansed By Fire. I just have to close my eyes and the images come right up.
Yar: Actually, no. We had planned a video for that song, but we decided not to exploit the theme... Though honestly, we do have a good concept for it... A video for Take Me High has already been made, but for various reasons, that song probably won't get a video release — and the footage might be used for another song from the planned new album.
Scorpio: And what can we expect to hear on the new album? When will it be released?
Yar: Honestly, I don't want to make too many predictions. I can say one thing: melodic and heavy material will be well represented. Also, the new album won't be a sequel to "Argotique". Most likely, we'll try to release some of the material from our demo "Forever", which was prepared in 1999 but never released. The title track has already been re-recorded and updated. There will also be some tearful ballads, plus, of course, some radio-friendly songs. We're planning a complete equipment upgrade and we hope the new sound will be richer, more polished, and heavier. We'd love to keep our fans happy.
Scorpio: How does living in a port city and being so close to Northern Europe (Norway, Sweden, Finland) affect the people of Murmansk?
Yar: Mostly through the large number of drunk Finns, Norwegians, Swedes, Malaysians, Filipinos, and others on the streets in the evening. I think that's about it.
Scorpio: By the way, you have "white nights" there. What kind of feelings do they bring?
Yar: The feeling that summer has arrived. It doesn't really affect the locals. It mostly affects visitors to our city. They can't sleep, feel uneasy, nervously check their clocks, react strangely after five nights without proper sleep, and so on.
Scorpio: But do people come specifically to experience that phenomenon?
Yar: No, of course not. At least, I haven't met any. Usually visitors forget about the phenomenon on their way here. Most people think that "white nights" only happen in st. petersburg, not in a city beyond the Arctic Circle. Study your geography! :)
Scorpio: What kind of music do you prefer?
Yar: All kinds. From TATU and ZEMFIRA to MACHINE HEAD and DEVILDRIVER. We basically listen to anything good, regardless of how glamorous or highbrow it is.
Scorpio: And what do you think about people who listen only to "pure" metal and refuse to appreciate anything else?
Yar: You mean the orthodox "true" metalheads? I think their one-sided loyalty to a single type of music conceals either adolescent maximalism or just plain narrow-mindedness. I don't think those people need to be convinced otherwise.
Scorpio: I won't let you go without a closing statement.
Yar: Thanks for the interview. That's real support. I'm very glad that you're doing such important work for the scene. And taking this opportunity, I'd like to recommend our disc "Argotique" to all fans of heavy music. The album isn't grim — it actually lifts your spirits. Stay heavy. Good luck, Vladimir!